White Shepherd mom

is that what's wrong with me? My mother is convinced I love the dogs more than her. Could there be truth in that?

BittyMooPeeb, I often add some spinach or bok choy or anything similar to the dogs' food when I cook a batch. If I have nothing fresh on hand, I use a couple of blocks of frozen spinach (I buy the bags with small individual portions in them) - I figure since they eat grass, then some greens in their meal can't harm.

Here's a thought, don't know how much merit it has but anyway:) In the wild, our dogs would eat dead animals, stomach contents and all. Some of those animals would be grazers and so dogs would eat grass through them. Maybe it's just something they need to eat. One of mine eats grass more than the other and she doesn't always throw up afterwards.

Jen & Louise, I'll ditto that! "toughy" would still be eating supermarket kibble and PAL if not for "problem child". I have spent plenty time on forums and doggy chat groups and doing internet research! We won't even mention the time spent in the kitchen and repacking fresh meat for the freezer, etc...sigh! At least I'm glad I have him and he didn't go to a home that would have thrown him out because he's too much trouble (and cost!)

Thanks for all the input and help guys. I will have a look in the General area at the previous post. I am glad there are so many out there thinking the same way as me. I will also look at contacting Clare Middle and chat about my "problem child" with her. Has anyone else got one "problem child" and one toughy that's affected by nothing? I'm sure people I talk to all think I only have one dog as that's the one I'm always looking for info about! Thanks again.

Judith-Ann, I am new to WA and have not yet registered the dogs. I hope I don't need a vaccination certificate? In Sydney, they were both lifetime registered and I used their "adoption" papers, which of course stated that they were vaccinated. Yeh, what's with the vet and legal obligations? Are you suggesting she was putting me on? I would not be surprised. I wonder what she meant exactly. My dog has a compromised immune system which is why I have not taken him for his vaccines. What's an R+ trainer? Mav, I'm looking forward to seeing the vaccine requirements change to 2-3 year...the vets won't be pleased with the loss of revenue unless they all start doing titers. Let me know how it goes with flashing the titer results under a trainer's nose without them noticing...I wish you luck!

Akitaowner, Yes, I know the kennel and training requirements although I did forget all about it. Now that you've reminded me it kinda puts a damper on my taking Casper for training. As far as you're aware, are titers not accepted?

Thank you for your reply Judith-Ann. I have been reading about these new protocols on the web which is why I thought I would ask the question on this forum to find out people's thoughts. I have heard of and read Dr Jean Dodds writings. She is mentioned a lot in the epileptic-canine world for her ground breaking work on thyroid problems. She must be one busy lady! I did speak to my vet about the subject and she merely said that legally they are still required to vaccinate annually...I took my dog and hightailed it out of there before she had time to bring out the needle! As you say, they don't seem to be up to speed on the subject. Please share anything new you might find out about. Thanks again.

Dan, I agree fully. It seemed so much easier before the internet when we were mostly clueless...You'd vaccinate every year, you'd feed supermarket brand dog food and you'd be none the wiser. Amazingly, in those days my dogs were very healthy - no allergies, no tummy bugs, etc. Now we have to learn about the effects of vaccines, dog nutrition, dog health, behaviour problems, blah blah blah... I hope you work it all out. Well done for looking for the answer.

Thanks Dan. Do you get them titered every year? Have you found you've needed to top up their vaccinations at all?

Dan, I asked my vet and she told me to go to Murdoch - service with a smile huh? It would have been handy if she'd done it so I wouldn't have to pay consultation twice! Has anyone had titres done? I'm curious as to costs and results. Thanks.

Thanks for the new posts guys! I think I will have a chat to my butcher about pet mince. ElectraWoman - $7/kg sounds a little hefty - I can get human grade mince for the same price! My grief...my dogs eat 1kg of meat a day - I'd have to start eating kibble to be able to afford them! Thanks for the info though, the phone number and other details will be great if you have them. Thanks for the beach names - I think the darlings could use a nice long outing!

Wundahoo, It is Railway Ave vet I went to. The vet I saw was very good in explaining things to me but I wasn't totally ecstatic with her...maybe I'm too fussy! As you say, not everyone will be happy with a certain vet or clinic but I guess it's worth hunting until I find the one I'm happy with. As I plan to get my dogs titered and Murdoch is the place that does it, I guess I will form an impression first hand. Also, as you say, if I find a vet I like, I can always make my appointments with that one in the future. Another reason I want to try them out is that apparently they are our local emergency vet. I reckon it would be handy if they already had us on their records. Showdog - I brought my one dog's records from NSW. He's the one with reams of paperwork. My other dog goes once a year for a check up and shots!

Chicko, we have been in Perth one month. We flew over with the dogs from Sydney. Apart from not seeing the same vet twice, what other reasons do you have for not going to Murdoch? Excuse the question but I obviously want to make sure my dogs get the best care even if it is a routine visit. The vet I saw in Armadale (one of five at this clinic) saw Casper for his first visit at their surgery. I discussed his epilepsy, allergies and current bad tummy with her and she didn't look him over once. They first and only time she paid him any attention was to draw blood for a thyroid test I asked for. I also discussed his diet and she didn't seem to know anything so I'm ready to try someone else!

Soniq, thanks for the info...they sound really good. Maybe it's worth the extra 15 min drive and I should look at making them my regular vets. My, so much to learn about a new place!

this is all great news. I spoke to my vet about this and she didn't seem to know anything about it. I was surprised though when she said that Murdoch University, here in WA, does titers. I've heard of it being done in the States but didn't know it had reached our shores yet. I look forward to the vaccine protocols becoming more modern.

Hi Dianne, Thank you for your opinion which echoes my own. I have read up on the subject but from US sources so was wondering what Australian dog owners think. Do you vaccinate annualy? Have you heard of titers? Have you tried them? Thanks, Ann.

I'm with poodlefan on this one - reading the ingredient lists I'm so glad I do my own thing. What's with the rosemary extract in just about all these foods? My one dog is epileptic and I have read that rosemary can bring on seizures to dogs that are prone to them. Also, dogs with allergies can be grain intollerant, so out goes the rice, etc. Oh well, back to the kitchen... Ann.

I have never heard of Eagle Pack but now I'm intrigued! Has anyone got a bag handy - can you tell me what grains and cereals are in there? Also, is there any mention of rosemary? Thanks in advance Ann

you guys are great, thanks a stack for the info. I know there's a City Farmers in Armadale but have not been to it yet as I'm finishing off some chicken mince from Lennards. I think I will certainly have a chat with my local butcher to see if they can help and will take a trip to O'Connor and visit the South Str Pet Supplies. Thanks also for the beach info, the darlings love to swim so we'll have to take them. Hopefully they can get some play time in with other pups as well! Have any of you been to Murdoch vet hospital? I believe they do titers (in an attempt to get away from vaccinating) and was wondering how expensive they are as opposed to normal vets. Thanks again all, if you think of anything else WA-wise that might be useful I'd appreciate it if you'd share! Ann.

Hi Sarah, Thanks for the info, I will try them this weekend. If you think of anyone else, please let me know! I also wanted to find some doggy beaches, do you know of any offhand? Thanks again Ann.

Hilary, I usually feed Missing Link as a supplement too but as I don't have a bag at the moment I'm just guessing - isn't there kelp in there already? I would think Missing Link should have most of what you need in the right amounts? Please correct me if I'm wrong Ann.

I have recently moved to WA from NSW with my two dogs (brought hubby along too!) and need some help finding food for the pups. I home-cook for them and also give them raw bones. I used to buy meat from Petbarn in NSW and all was great. Now I buy pet chicken mince from Lennards and my one dog has had a runny tummy since day one. Can anyone tell me where I can get decent pet meat (that won't break the bank) as well as a good choice of bones of any variety? We live in Armadale. Thanks in advance Ann.

Thanks Anne, I'll hunt for it sometime!

Does anyone out there know anything about the topic of over-vaccinating? I believe that some vaccines do not need to be repeated annualy and we could be harming our dogs more than helping them by vaccinating as much as we do. I am especially asking as my one dog is epileptic and I've heard that vaccines can sometimes bring on seizures. As he is almost due his annual shots, I thought I would throw the question out there. Thanks Ann.